Merkley Statement on State of the Union

Merkley Statement on State of the Union

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Washington, DC - Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union speech. Audio of the response can be found here.

“President Obama was absolutely right when he said, ‘A growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs – that must be the North Star that guides our efforts.’ There is no better program of any kind than a good, living-wage job as a foundation for a successful family.

“The President mentioned many strategies to spur job creation, now and for the future. Let’s have that discussion right now on how we can get our economy back on track. Let’s invest in our infrastructure and put people back to work rebuilding America’s crumbling roads and bridges. Let’s offer low-cost loans for homeowners to make their homes energy-efficient. Let’s hire back the teachers that were laid off during this terrible depression, and help prepare our children for the jobs of the future. And let’s do more to make sure that anyone who works hard can make ends meet, by raising the minimum wage.

"We won't make America stronger, create jobs, or build for the future by making life tougher for seniors or turning our back on the hungry and hurting. Businesses won't invest while we're lurching from cliff to cliff, with uncertainty looming over government policy every few months. It's time to end the manufactured crises and focus on making this country work for the middle class.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues to move our country forward. Let’s heed the President’s call to work together to focus on creating good jobs now and growth for the future.”